When
"Nikita" returns on Thursday, Jan. 27, viewers will be introduced to Alex's (
Lyndsy Fonseca) new love interest, Nathan (
Thad Luckinbill). They will also see a kiss between Nikita (
Maggie Q) and Ryan Fletcher (
Noah Bean).

Fans of Michael (
Shane West) probably won't be too happy about those developments. "Mikita" shippers (Michael and Nikita fans for all you TV amateurs) weren't pleased when they saw the Nikita/Ryan kiss in the promo and another legion of fans are actually rooting for a Michael/Alex romance. (You can call them "Malex" fans. We think.)

We sat down with Maggie and Lyndsy at the The CW's winter television critics association press tour where we had to ask their thoughts on the show possibly exploring a love triangle between the three characters. Their opinions are pretty much polar opposite. And by pretty much, we mean totally.

Maggie: "It's hard for me to think that because she's so young. It feels creepy to me. I think if they did that it would be weird. She's 19 and he's a man. I hope not because I don't think that reads well. I think if they wanted to introduce a love triangle with another woman they could do that, you know, introduce another woman that maybe Michael's interested in. "

Lyndsy: "Absolutely. I think anything is possible with any of the characters being involved with each other. I think if it happens it'll have to happen for the right reasons. It won't just be because, 'Oh, we have to try this!' If Craig's [Silverstein, executive producer] gonna write it, it's going to be for a specific reason that's going to have a lot of impact on all the characters."

See? One thing the two kick-ass women can agree on is that Michael is seeing a version of Nikita in Alex and that may be why he seems to favor her over all the other recruits.

"I think part of the reason she stands out to him at all is because she is a version of Nikita. Nikita has given birth to this person. So what he is seeing is exactly what he loved all those years ago, that person," Maggie says. "It is her, it's her creation. So I don't think Michael even realizes that yet and when he does it's going to be a real bucket of ice in the face sort of thing."

Lyndsy continues, "I think Michael sees a lot of Nikita in Alex and that's why he as a soft spot for her. He doesn't treat any of the other recruits like he does Alex. He let's her get away with certain things or protects her and has her back."

Of course, any potential romance between Michael and Alex could be derailed by the whole Alex secretly sabotaging the company Michael works for thing. Will Michael soon find out that Alex is actually working with Nikita? The ladies wouldn't divulge that answer, but with a sly smile Lyndsy says, "Big things are going to be coming as far as what Michael discovers and finds out. He doesn't stay unknowing much longer."

Watch an all-new episode of "Nikita" on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 9 pm ET on The CW.